There is clearly an intense emotional side to living with hyperfocus and hyperarousal, and while there are many positive aspects to this that I’ve covered regularly on this website, anger is one such emotion that we have to work at to keep in check.

There are times where I have to mentally examine my emotions when I’m feeling particularly frustrated, which can often by directed at myself. This is where getting into a pattern of being well organised can help us as business leaders to regulate our emotions and learn to be a little kinder to ourselves.

Recognise anger as a natural reaction

First off, everyone gets angry sometimes, it’s how we deal with the intensity of our frustration that counts. Expression of anger and sadness can actually be healthy, particularly for male entrepreneurs like myself that tend to redirect our feelings inwards. 

Whether it’s loss of an important client, or someone has done something that you believe incorrectly impacts on how you are perceived, sometimes things happen in life that are naturally difficult to adjust to. 

It’s all about how extreme our reactions to these situations are, and whether they may be a way that we can lessen the emotional impact, not only for others, but for our own mental wellbeing.

How to get organised for peace of mind

Over the years, I’ve learnt that being able to resist feelings of anger turning into a negative situation by being able to spot the warning signs. 

What frustrates you may well be different from what bugs me, but the tactics for a more relaxed and positive mental state are always the same. 

Some hints and tips that have helped me along the way include:

• Finding a place at work or at home that you can go to where you know you can take a few minutes to de-stress
• It may sound cliché, but going for a walk or a run can be great for clearing the mind and ridding it of pent up frustration
• Plan out your work day in advance so that you can make room for a decent lunch – it’s easier to feel angry when running on an empty stomach!
• Be as reflective as possible when it comes to recognising parts of your day that tend to cause you frustration – and think about ways where these stresses could be eased (e.g. going to sleep earlier so you’re not rushing through traffic)
• Meetings can get confrontational for anyone, so while it can be difficult to listen when you don’t agree with a point, take a minute to see things from the perspective of the person speaking before making your point

If you’re reading this and feel like you want more guidance on the subject, why not drop me a message and I’ll see how I can help!